Tool Belt Chaps with Knee Pads and Movable, Detachable Tool Pockets

ABSTRACT

Tool belt chaps are disclosed as these may be provided for gardening or other activities. An example of the tool belt chaps include a pair of chaps and a waist belt with buckling mechanism, such that the belt comfortably secures the pair of chaps around a waist of a user. The example tool belt chaps also include one or more adjustable catches attached to the pair of chaps, and one or more tool pockets that interchangeably attach to one or more of the catches. The pair of chaps may also include a pair of knee pads, and one or more securing straps attached to each leg of the pair of chaps, such that the pair of chaps may be comfortably secured around the legs of the user.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/676,669 filed May 25, 2018 titled “Tool Belt Chaps With Knee Pads and Movable, Detachable Tool Pockets” of Sarah Venekamp, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Tool belts are often big, bulky, and heavy, and cannot hold the many specialized tools for gardening. Since there is no tool belt designed specifically for gardening, gardeners must keep track of tools manually and run a constant risk of losing tools in the foliage. Tools may also be stored in a tool bucket, which can be burdensome to carry and is often inconveniently located on the other side of the garden with the needed tools.

Traditional knee pads provide protection while kneeling, but often do not stay in place for long. After a certain period of time, the straps can work loose, leaving the knee pads unsecured. Even when knee pads are securely in place, the strap may be bulky and uncomfortable. Since the strap runs directly behind the knee, it presents a substantial chafing risk to the wearer.

There also exist rectangular foam knee pads that do not strap to the user. These can be picked up and moved to each location to kneel on. But these do not follow the user from task to task unless specifically picked up and carried.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of example tool belt chaps.

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the example tool belt chaps.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the example tool belt chaps.

FIG. 4 shows the example tool belt chaps as these may be worn during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Tool belt chaps are disclosed herein, which may include movable, detachable pockets and/or “loops” for tools, and integrated knee pads that can protect the wearer's knees particularly while gardening, but also for other work activities such as but not limited to plumbing, installing flooring, and other work activities which may require the user to kneel on their knees.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but are not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIG. 1 is a front view of example tool belt chaps 10. FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the example tool belt chaps 10. FIG. 3 is a back view of the example tool belt chaps 10. FIG. 4 shows the example tool belt chaps 10 as these may be worn during use.

An example of the tool belt chaps 10 include a pair of chaps 12, and a waist belt 14 with buckling mechanism, such that the belt comfortably secures the pair of chaps 12 around a waist of a user. The buckling mechanism may include a side release buckle 16 a, 16 b, although other buckling mechanisms are also contemplated.

In an example, the belt 14 is constructed of four strands of slightly stretchy cords (e.g., a not-overly elastic bungee cord material). This provides for some added comfort when the wearer kneels down, and doesn't pull the belt harshly across the back of the waist of the wearer.

In an example, two leggings 26 a, 26 b of the chaps 12 are connected across their tops to the belt 14, and are connected to each other by a yoke 15 that spans the entire width of each legging, and provides for a space between the leggings. The yoke 15 may span the space between the leggings 26 a, 26 b in just the front or in just the back. Or in another example, the yoke 15 may span the space between the leggings 26 a, 26 b in both the front and the back.

The yoke 15 runs parallel to the belt and begins (e.g., about 2 inches down) from the top of the chaps 12. The yoke's 15 function is to direct the path of the leggings 26 a, 26 b to hang correctly, placing the knee pads 22 a, 22 b in the correct positions. The yoke 15 may also include pockets for holding seeds, gloves, etc., and/or attachments for tool pockets 20 a-c. The yoke 15 may also provide a convenient location to place a product logo or other identification or adomment (e.g., reminiscent of a belt buckle in the front center of the yoke 15).

One or more catches 18 a-h may be attached to the belt 14. In an example, the catches are formed as loops (e.g., folded cloth with a central opening) that can be slid over the belt 14. As such, the catches 18 a-h are adjustable in position (e.g., can be slid along the belt 14 to change position of the catches 18 a-h along the length of the belt 14). The catches 18 a-h provide attachment points for one or more tool pockets 20 a-c. For example, the catches 18 a-h may include magnetic connections, snaps, buttons, etc. that connect with mating catches 21 a, 21 b on the tool pockets 20 a-c.

The pockets (e.g., cell phone pocket 20 b) may be sewn directly on (or otherwise attached or provided as a part of the chaps 12. In another example, some or all of the tool pockets 20 a-c may interchangeably attach to one or more of the catches 18 a-b. That is, took pockets 20 a-c may be attached to any of the adjustable catches 18 a-h.

The tool pockets 20 a-c may be of any desired type and/or configuration, depending for example, on the end-use. In an example, the tool pockets include a closed-bottom and/or open-top pocket 20 a, an open-bottom pocket 20 c configured to receive a tool therethrough, and a pocket 20 b with a closeable top.

In another example, one or more of the attachments on the belt 14 include an adjustable loop that can be attached perpendicular to the banded ring or loop around the belt (e.g., to slide their hammer into). However, this attachment is attached to the sliding band or loop so that the wearer can slide it to the most comfortable spot on the belt for them. The tool opening may also be adjustable in size (e.g., larger or smaller diameter) so that it can be made smaller or larger to hold the particular tool.

Any of these and/or another configuration may be provided for a cell phone pocket 20 b on the chaps. In an example, the tool pockets are specifically configured to hold garden tools and a cell phone (e.g., pocket 20 b), although other functions may also be provided.

The tool belt chaps 10 may also include a pair of knee pads 22 a and 22 b in association with the chaps 12. In an example, the knee pads 22 a, 22 b are permanently affixed to the chaps 12. In another example, the knee pads 22 a, 22 b may be removably attached to the chaps 12 (e.g., for easy replacement and/or repositioning on the chaps 12).

One or more securing straps 24 a-l may be attached to each leg 26 a, 26 b of the pair of chaps 12, such that the pair of chaps may be comfortably secured around the legs of the user (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4). The securing straps 24 a-l may be fixedly attached to the pair of chaps 12 by stitches or sewn on the chaps 12. Or the straps 24 a-l may be removably attached, e.g., by a side release buckle or magnetic attachment. In an example, the securing straps are removably held around the legs of the user by a side release buckle 25 and/or magnetic closures.

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

In an example, the belt 14 is made of strands of moderately elastic cord. These are bound together in several places, and also bound to the leggings in places, leaving sections of free, unattached cording. These free sections of cording each have a male catch or magnetic attachment point on a loop of binding that slides along the belt within the section.

In an example, the chaps 10 may include different size and shape tool pockets 20 a-c. The tool pockets 20 a-c may have female catches or magnetic attachments that can attach magnetically to any of the magnetic attachment points. The tool pockets 20 a-c connect easily to, and are easily removed from, the magnetic attachment points found in the various sections of the tool belt 14 and/or yoke 15. Of course, it is noted that other types of attachments such as snaps may also be provided.

The attachment points enable the wearer to specifically choose where on the belt he or she would like to position each tool pocket (and the corresponding tool it is desired to hold). The user may also slide the tool pocket around to adjust its fit against the body.

There are also one or more sliding loops of binding on the belt 14 for whatever tool might comfortably and conveniently hang there. This loop is adjustable with a clasp that allows the user to custom fit the loop to a specific tool circumference.

The belt 14 additionally provides a buckle or buckling mechanism with an adjustable strap, buckling at the back of the waist.

Stitched to the thigh of one of the leggings 26 a, 26 b is an optional, specialized tool pocket provided specifically for a mobile phone. This pocket includes an overlapping flap that closes with a magnet or other closure.

In an example, each legging provides an attached, enclosed knee pad 22 a, 22 b made of non-absorbent closed-cell foam beneath a cloth patch stitched to the legging material. It is noted that the knee pads 22 a, 22 b may be attached in other ways. In the example visible in the figures, the yoke 15, phone pocket, and knee pad patches are made of suede. The leggings are made of a wet-suit, neoprene type fabric that is lightweight, pliant, non-absorbent, and somewhat elastic.

In an example, the leggings 26 a, 26 b are held in place by magnetic closures or other closures on adjustable straps. In an example, there are three sets of straps on each legging: one is around the thigh, one below the knee, and one a few inches below that, just above the ankle.

Magnetic closures have the advantage of being operable with only one hand, by bringing the two magnets close to one another and letting them attach. To release, the wearer may slide the two magnet pieces apart with one hand. In an example, the square faces of these magnets may be stamped with a product logo or other identification or adornment. However, snaps or other closures may be employed in place of magnets as a design choice.

Each pair of tool belt chaps 10 may include a few differently size and/or shape pockets 20 a-c. The dimensions and materials of these pockets 20 a-c may be selected based on the profession or task type the chaps are intended, and hence which tools will be routinely employed.

Each tool pocket 20 a-c may have a magnetic closure or female closure end on it that hooks to a magnetic closure attachment or male closure end on the tool belt 14 and/or yoke 15. In an example, the tool pockets 20 a-c are made of neoprene, and connect to the belt 14 and/or yoke 15 with magnetic attachments that attach to the magnetic attachment points located on the belt 14 and/or yoke 15 (and/or anywhere else on the chaps 12).

For different professions, tasks, hobbies, or activities, the materials selected for all the elements of the tool belt chaps may be selected to perform optimally for that specific application. So rather than neoprene, the leggings may be made of other materials such as canvas, leather, rubber, or silicone. In addition, the pockets and pocket fasteners may be different for the different tool belt chaps, e.g., if the specific application calls for heavier tools, bigger tools, smaller tools, etc.

On the lower portion of the left legging is an optional occupational logo indicating the type of activity the tool belt chaps have been designed for. It is noted that such optional occupational logos may vary considerably in size, appearance, and location on the tool belt chaps.

In an example, a bag with drawstring closure may be provided, which the chaps and tool pockets easily store in, in a rolled or folded state.

In an example, the yoke is variable in height (from top to bottom) along the length of the yoke, e.g., about 4-7 inches in the center at it's tallest, and shorter in height at the hips.

the knee pad patches are about 6 inches wide by about 10 inches high, and the foam pad within completely fills the area. The leggings are each a straight shape that covers just the front of the wearer's legs, with a bell-shaped flare at the bottom. In the same example, the leggings are 9 and one-half inches wide until widening at the bottom, the belt is about 45 inches long, the chaps are about 36 inches long, the cell phone pocket 20 b is about 3 and one-half inches wide by about 4 and one-half inches tall, and an example tool pocket is about 4 inches wide by about 7 and one-half inches tall. These dimensions are shown only for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Other shapes and dimensions may be provided that serve the intended purpose.

It is noted that other variations may also be implemented, and may include different materials and closure types, different task specializations, and different tool pocket sizes.

As will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein, the tool belt chaps 10 provide multiple advantages, each of which fills a long-felt need. The tool belt chaps 10 provide a tool belt 14 and/or yoke 15 with detachable, movable, replaceable tool pockets that can be customized to suit particular tools or tasks, and can be placed and adjusted on the wearer's body for maximum comfort and convenience. The tool belt chaps 10 also provide a pair of protective chaps 12 for the user's legs, that are capable of carrying tools, and a pair of protective knee pads that cannot slide off, all in a single device that can be removed and cleaned independent of the wearer's clothing. The tool belt chaps 10 also provide an optional cell phone pocket 20 b that places the wearer's cell phone within easy reach, rather than trapped in an inaccessible pocket in the wearer's clothing.

It Is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated. 

1. Tool belt chaps comprising: a pair of chaps; a waist belt with buckling mechanism, such that the belt comfortably secures the pair of chaps around a waist of a user; one or more catches attached to the pair of chaps; one or more tool pockets that interchangeably attach to one or more of the catches; a pair of knee pads in association with the chaps; and one or more securing straps attached to each leg of the pair of chaps, such that the pair of chaps may be comfortably secured around the legs of the user.
 2. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, further comprising a closed-bottom pocket.
 3. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, further comprising an open-bottom pocket for receiving a tool therethrough.
 4. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, further comprising an open-top pocket.
 5. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, further comprising a pocket with a closeable top.
 6. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein the tool pockets are specifically configured to hold garden tools.
 7. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, further comprising a cell phone pocket on the chaps.
 8. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein the catches are attached to the belt.
 9. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein the catches are adjustable in position on the belt.
 10. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein the catches are magnetic attachments.
 11. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein the securing straps are held around the legs of the user by a side release buckle.
 12. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein the securing straps are held around the legs of the user by magnetic closures.
 13. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, further comprising a temporary attachment mechanism for the knee pads.
 14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a permanent attachment mechanism for the knee pads.
 15. The tool belt chaps of claim 1, wherein one or more spaces are provided on the pair of chaps for corporate logos, occupational logos, identification, or other adornments.
 16. Tool belt chaps for gardening, comprising: a pair of chaps having separate leggings; a yoke connecting the separate leggings of the chaps; an elastic waist belt with buckling mechanism to comfortably secure the pair of chaps around a waist of a user; one or more catches attached to the belt and/or yoke; one or more tool pockets that attach to one or more of the catches; a pair of knee pads attached to the chaps; and securing straps attached to chaps, such that the chaps may be comfortably secured around the wearer's legs, and such that the wearer's legs and clothing are protected from contact with the ground or floor and any materials on the ground or floor, and such that the knee pads come between the wearer's knees and the ground or floor, reducing the chance of discomfort or injury.
 17. The tool belt chaps of claim 16, wherein the tool pockets include a closed-bottom pocket, an open-bottom pocket for receiving a tool therethrough, an open-top pocket, a pocket with a closeable top, and a cell phone pocket.
 18. The tool belt chaps of claim 16, wherein the tool pockets are interchangeable on any of the catches.
 19. Tool belt chaps for gardening, comprising: a pair of chaps attached together by a yoke; an elastic waist belt with buckling mechanism to comfortably secure the pair of chaps around a waist of a user; one or more adjustable catches attached to the belt and yoke; tool pockets that attach to one or more of the catches, the tool pockets including at least a closed-bottom pocket, an open-bottom pocket for receiving a tool therethrough, an open-top pocket, a pocket with a closeable top, and a cell phone pocket; a pair of knee pads attached to the chaps; and one or more securing straps attached to each leg of the chaps, such that the chaps may be comfortably secured around the wearer's legs.
 20. The tool belt chaps of claim 19, wherein the tool pockets are interchangeable on any of the adjustable catches. 